JUNE 11, 2014

House defunds HUD racial housing quotas

FAIRFAX, Va. – Americans for Limited Government President Nathan Mehrens issued the following statement praising House passage of the Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) rider to the Transportation and HUD appropriations bill that will defund implementation of the "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing" regulation:

"Americans for Limited Government commends the House of Representatives and particularly, Representative Paul Gosar, for the vote to defund HUD's attempt to federalize local zoning decisions using community development grants as the cudgel to create evenly distributed neighborhoods on the basis of race and income.

"Gosar's courage in standing firm against this latest example of Obama Administration social engineering serves as a model for his colleagues seeking to limit the size and scope of government.

"Housing discrimination has rightfully been illegal under federal law for two generations. The Obama Administration's regulation is not about discrimination; instead it is about nationalizing local zoning decisions to achieve a utopian agenda. These decisions are among the most difficult that local governments face, as they impact every aspect of a community.

Consideration of zoning ordinances and master plans are debated by neighbors and serve as the epitome of citizen involvement in their government. We don't need unconstitutional racial housing quotas imposed by Washington, D.C. over matters best left to local communities.

"The House of Representatives' decision to defund this Obama regulation will stop the big foot of the federal government from treading all over local governments' prerogatives and the fundamental right of citizen input in the process. Americans for Limited Government urges the U.S. Senate to join the House in defunding this ill-conceived federal government intrusion into local government zoning prerogatives."